The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-28
A DASH INTO ALABAMA.
VERSING A RICH COUNTRY ON
THE WAY.


Boom-New Stores--Alabama Iron
works-Cotton Receipts and Guano
Traf1c-Personal- Columbia's Out
look.
left Macon in the midst of the excite
ment of the Voolfolk trial, on dismal dav
of rain and storm and bitter cold, en- route
for Blakely. AT Smithville dned at the
McAfee House. and thence took the train
for Albany. At the moment of leaving
witnessed the narrow escape from death OF
an elderly gentleman. 1t seems he was
talking with lady on the Macon train
when the Eufaula cars started off. Mistak-
ing them for those bound for Albany. he
rushed out and managed to Chamber on
board. Then, discovering his error when
the speed was fully Is miles an hour, he
leaped from the train and, wonderful to re-
late, alighting squarely upon his feet, save
severe shock, sustained no injury. The
old FELLOW. we doubt not, went on his way a
''sadder but wiser man. The moral of
the incident is this: Where so many trains
leave at almost the same moment, as is the
case IN Smithville, conspicuous placards
should announce the destination of each.
BLAKELY.
After a detention of only few minutes
at the Albany depot, the same train took its
departure for Blakely at about q. m. This
branch of the Central" is a combination
road, with only one train per day having
passenger coaches attached, and distributing
and receiving freight all along the route
The rails on the track are old, necessitating
slow rate of speed, and this, with the fire.
quent and prolonged stops, makes the trip
anything but pleasant.
RICH REGION.
The country traversed abounds in lime
and is one of the most productive portions
of the State. Leary and Arlington are i'm
portant cotton centres and do large bust
ness. The only drawback to them are the
traditional chills, which will occasionally
shake up the unacclimated. But quinins
and blue pills are masters of the situation
and the people seem contented and happy.
1t was long after dark when we reached
Blakely and were most Hospitality received
and entertained at the
LIVINGSTON HOUSE.
The proprietress, Mrs. Livingston, de-
servedly enjoys the lions share of public
patronage. Her table is we'll kept, and the
beds clean and comfortable. This fact the
army of drummers fully recognize and
utilize.
The next morning was ushered in with
leaden skies and a cold and driving rain,
but your correspondent was forced to con-
tinue his journey. Fortunately he was able
to procure a fine turnout and spirited horse
from Mr.. E. l.. Fryer, whose livery estab-
hshment is one of the best in Southwest
Georgia, and under the guidance of an ex-
pert whip in two hours and ten minutes
he was safely deposited on the banks of the
Chattahoochee river, just opposite to Co
lumbia.
Our ride was through magnificently
timbered section, with the clay cropping out
at the surface and thes soil productive and
easily cultivated The railroad will do
wonders for it.
The crossing at the river is both difficult
and dangerous. After descending precipi-
tous bluff with gentle team you may be
able to enter the fiat" frail and unsatis-
factory structure, which is polled up stream
several hundred yards and then guided di-
sgonally to the other shore. There you are
bounced out and climb as best you can the
steep ascent to the road above. With such
wretched approaches no wonder that the
people on both sides of the river are clam
oring for early railway communication.
There was no hack or other vehicle in
sight, and we were indebted to the courtesy
of DIR. J, +. Minter, prominent physician.
for friendly lift in his buggy through the
mud and water to the
CRAWFORD HOUSE,
whose hospitable portals were thrown wide
open to welcome this disconsolate wayfarer
The hostile of mine host has been enlarged
and much improved since our last visit, and
his pretty daughters and gentle wife know
full well how to welcome the coming and
speed the parting guest" Thanks for their
many kind attentions.
coLUMBIA's RAILROAD.
The long desired boon of railway comnu-
nication with the outer world is about to be
granted. That much talked of extension of
the Georgia Central from Blakely is very
nearly "a, fat occompH. The writer in
spected large portion of the line, crossing
it four times, and found everything in an
advanced state of preparation. About two
miles of the track have already been COM
pleted and the work of laying the steel rails
is progressing steadily. The crossties have.
also been duly distributed, and the trestles
and culverts will soon be finished. In less
than three months probably the iron will be
down to the banks of the Chattahoochee
Here no further progress can be made until
the erection of the bridge across the river.
The citizens assert that an agreement was
entered into with the authorities of the Cen
trail railroad which provided that if the
former would secure the right of way by
purchase or otherwise from Blakely to the
river, that organization would proceed to
DullQ ana equip Ine rOdu at once. Inoy now
await with much anxiety the fulfillment of
this compact That the Central will do so
as soon as the winter freshets are over and
the river subsidies into its normal channel
cannot be doubted. Indeed, with the
RAPID CHATTAHoocHEE
rolling between, and its frowning and pre-
cipitous banks to be surmounted, the whole
enterprise would be practical failure with
out the bridge. 1t is safe to assert that until
its completion the entire investment by all
the parties concerned will be an absolute
nullity The swift-gliding steamers will
continue to monopolize the carrying trade
of the river. Let us hope then, that the
bridge may be speedily built and quick
transportation and healthy competition
vouchsafed to the enterprising people of
Columbia
PROGRESS OF THE TOWN
The building boom in Columbia has ex-
ceeded that of any year in its previous his
tory. Many valuable and bona fide citi-
5ens have also moved in. The place Is fast
beginning TO assume the proportions and
appearance of thriving young city.
We notice among the recent improvements
the advent of j. S. Ramsey a. Co., extern
sive furniture dealers; the handsome gen
eral store Of John T. Davis, Jr, aud the
establishment of w. T. McCIiff, who, by
purchase, has acquired the sole control Of
the business and stocks of the two firms OF
Oakley & Co. and w. z. McCriff & Co.,